27 



another particular in which a strong co-operative association would be 

 more likely to affect improvement than individual shippers. 



During the late autumn or winter months when the late keeping var- 

 ieties are shipped, well ventilated cars or compartments on ship board 

 afford the best meass of transportation if precaution be taken against 

 freezing. During the warm weather of the summer and early autumn 

 when the early maturing varieties are sent to market, shipment in cold 

 storage is advisable. Cold storage retards' maturity and delays decay, 

 but does not prevent it. Transportation in cold storage gives the best 

 results when the fruit has been thoroughly cooled before being placed in 

 the car or steamer for shipment. Herein, too, the cold storage at the 

 central packing house provides this for every shipment which could not 

 always be obtained by the independent shipper. 



Storing. 



The best keeping varieties of apples, when stored under proper con- 

 ditions, may be kept the year round. The conditions necessary to the 

 successful storage of apples are : a steady temperature, as near freez- 

 ing as possible, without reaching that point ; and an atmosphere moist 

 enough to prevent wilting. 



An ordinary house cellar usually furnishes the best place for the 

 storage of the supply for domestic purposes. In such storage careful 

 attention must be given to ventilation, as it is by this means principally 

 that the temperature is regulated. 



Before the fruit is stored it should be carefully picked over and all 

 over-ripe, wormy, and bruised specimens should be culled from those 

 intended for long keeping. 



As there is always more or less risk in the storage of fruit, it is well 

 for the grower who has apples to sell to hold the crop only so long as 

 may be necessary to secure the best prices. For temporary storage in 

 the fall a barn or other outbuilding may answer the purpose until severe 

 freezing weather sets in. This is usually all the storing done by those 

 who have but a small crop. 



Where apples are grown or handled on a large scale, it pays to have 

 a properly built fruit house, where the temperature and humidity inside 

 can be controlled, and in which the crop may be held all winter if neces- 

 sary. The walls of such a building are usually made of double thickness 

 of matched lumber, with felt paper between and an air space between the 

 studs. In such a house the crop may be packed and held for shipment 

 as may be desirable any time during the fall or winter. 



With the establishment of co-operative associations and central packing 

 houses, the plan of the future will no doubt be central cold storage houses 

 in connection with the packing houses, or at the points of shipment. In 

 such houses the crop may be held under the most favorable conditions 

 and put on the market whenever the demand warrants good prices. 



